Let us discuss brown recluse spider bite stages, pictures, symptoms, treatment and other facts.
A brown recluse spider bite is an injury caused by a venomous species of spider, the brown recluse. Victims do not immediately feel the pain or be completely aware about the bite. It often takes a few hours for the symptoms to emerge such as pain, edema and reddening. The severity of the symptoms depends on the amount of venom or poison released by the spider. Those who are hypersensitive to the bite of brown recluse may develop allergic reactions and experience more severe symptoms.
Prompt treatment is required for a brown recluse spider bite because it could easily result in life-threatening conditions. Treatment involves applying first aid to the victim and taking him or her to the doctor. Also, part of the treatment method is taking preventive measures to avoid getting another bite from the said spider.
Brown Recluse Spider Facts
The Brown Recluse spider is one of the over 20,000 spider species in the US that is very dangerous. Its venom is very poisonous, much powerful than the venom excreted by a rattlesnake. Even so, it only releases a small amount of venom which makes it a little less dangerous. But things could be different for people with compromised immunity as a brown recluse spider bite can prove deadly.
The Brown Recluse spider can be identified by the violin pattern on its back. They could grow from 6 to 20 millimeters or even more. Unlike most spiders, the brown recluse has 3 pairs of eyes. As the name suggests, its color is brown or deep yellow. These spiders can live up to 2 years and can survive even under extreme conditions without food for 6 months. These arachnids thrive in dry and undisturbed places like garages, cellars, woodpiles, sheds and closets. They like to dwell in places that have been untouched for quite some time, like at the back of picture frames, dressers, bed sheets and shoes.
Brown recluse spider bite Stages
A brown recluse spider bite is hard to detect early due to the numbing effect of its venom. The victim will initially feel some tingling sensation on the bite site. Evidence of the spider bite becomes apparent after 6 to 8 hours and includes swelling, hard bump and intense pain. The bitten area will slowly turn red and ulcers will start to appear. The following are the stages that brown recluse spider bites go through:
- Stage 1
The spider bite feels itchy and extremely painful. It may become inflamed and develop some blisters when the tissues start to sustain some damage.
- Stage 2
The venom starts to destroy red blood cells which will obstruct the oxygen supply to the skin. The bite site will appear grayish with a small red spot in the center.
- Stage 3
The venom has now reached the bloodstream causing other symptoms to appear. Small red dots may be observed in other parts of the body.
- Stage 4
Life-threatening conditions will occur as a result of the venom circulating within the bloodstream.
Victims will also experience various symptoms hours after getting bitten. Among these are fever, nausea, vomiting and restlessness. Ulceration, joint pain and seizures may also be experienced.
Brown Recluse Spider bite symptoms
Bites from the brown recluse spider should not be ignored and left untreated as these could result in more serious health problems, especially among individuals with low immunity or suffering from other medical conditions. The victim should go to the doctor after applying first aid for spider bite. The following conditions need immediate trip to the hospital:
- Extremely painful wound
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tingling sensation on the bite site
- Breathing, speaking or walking difficulties
- Less frequent and darker urine
- Continuously bleeding spider bite wound
Brown Recluse Spider bite treatment
The doctor will carefully examine the bitten area and may conduct urine test, blood test or skin biopsy. He or she can plan the treatment if the offending spider is captured. Treatment should start right before the victim is brought to the doctor and this is done by:
- Washing the bitten area with soap and water.
- Applying ice on the wound for 10 or 20 minutes to ease the pain and swelling.
- Elevating the bitten area to reduce swelling and redness.
- Compressing the wound using compression bandage which will ease the swelling and pain.
Depending on the sensitivity of the victim to brown recluse spider bites and the condition of the victim, he or she may use any of the following treatment options:
- Antihistamines to reduce itchiness
- Antibiotics to treat bacterial infection
- Anti-venom to combat the spider’s poison
- Steroids to reduce swelling
- TD vaccine or boosters to prevent tetanus or diphtheria
- Surgery to remove damaged tissues
- HBO or hyperbaric oxygen therapy to supply oxygen to the blood and tissues
The finest way to prevent the odds of getting a brown recluse spider bite is to avoid the places in which the spiders dwell as well as taking precautionary measures when getting into these places
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Pictures
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